Apparatus for handling plates



H. E. M CRERY I APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PLATES Dec. 4, 1934.

Filed Deo. 4, 1951 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTQR flan, 1 14%- Dec. 4, 1934. H. E. M CRERY APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PLATES Filed Dec. 4, 1951 3 SheetsSheet 2 Dec. 4, 1934. H, MccRERY v 1,982,876

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PLATES Filed Dec. 4, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 4 2% fl w? M Patented Dec. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES 1,982,876 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PLATES Harold E. McCrery, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Blaw-Knox Company, Blawnox, Pa., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 4, 1931, Serial No. 578,907

24 Claims.

This invention relates generally to apparatus for handling plates or sheets, and more particularly to apparatus for handling plates or sheets in connection with a steel blasting operation in order to improve the surface thereof.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the present preferred embodiment of my invention,

' Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating the general arrangement of the main portion of the apparatus;

Figure 1A is a similar view illustrating the delivery end of the apparatus, Figure 1A being a continuation of Figure 1;

Figure 2 is a view taken in a plane corresponding to the line IIII of Figure 1 and illustrating the tilting feed table;

Figure 3 is a view taken in a plane corresponding to the line IIIIII of Figure 1 illustrating one of theguide rolls for entering the pla e into the steel blasting chamber, and also showing a portion of the chamber;

Figure 4 is a View taken in a plane corresponding to the line IVIV of Figure 1 illustrating a 2 magnetic roll for conveying the plate through the steel blasting chamber;

Figure 5 is a partial enlarged end view, parts being shown in section, showing the manner in which the magnetic roll is mounted; and

Figure 6 is a section taken in a plane corresponding to the line VIVI of Figure 1A, illustrating the receiving table.

Although the apparatus of the present invention is adapted for handling plates, sheets or other objects in connection with various operations to be formed on the plates or objects, it is described herein as particularly applied to thehandling of plates in connection with a steel blasting operation for improving the surfaces of the plates. It is desirablein steel blasting processes of this character to pass the plates endwise through a steel blasting chamber while, the plates are inclined at an angle to the horizontal. I have shown the plates as inclined at an angle of 45 to the horizontal, although the inclination may be varied to suit conditions. A

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the-general manner of handling the plates is as follows: A plate which may be 50 ft. in length is deposited on'a horizontal table 2 by any suitable means, not shown, the particular means forming no part of the present invention. The plate is then pickedup by a rotatable or tilting table 3 having rollers 4 secured to and extending radially from a rotatable shaft 5. The shaft is rotated from a motor 6 through gears 7. The tilting table 3 is rotated so as to support theplate 8 on the rollers 4 so that the plate is inclined at an angle of about 45 to the horizontal, as indicated in. Figure 2. The plate is fed while in this position through a steel blasting chamber 10 by means of a magnetic roll 11 driven from a motor 12 through a speed reducer 13. An initial push is given to the following edge of the plate8 by a pusher 15 shown in Figure 1, in order to decrease the gap between the plate on the table 3 and the preceding plate. l

The plate is guided in its entrance to the blasting chamber 10 by rolls 17 which guide the plate through a slot 18, as shown in Figure3, into the blasting chamber. After the plate has been passed through the blasting chamber, it is guided by rolls 20 and is withdrawn from the chamber by a magnetic roll 21 operated through a speed reducer 22 from a motor 23. The plate is received in inclined position on a tilting, receiving roller table 24 which is substantially similar to the roller table 3. The table 24 has rollers 25 secured toan'd extending radially from a shaft 39 26 which rotated through gears 2'7 by a motor 28. After theplate has beenreceived on the table 24 in inclined position, the table is rotated so as to deposit the plate in a horizontal position on a table 29. l 35 The feed table 3 is illustrated in detail in Figure 2. Two sets of rollers 4 and Marc secured to and extend radially from the shaft 5. One set of these rollers supports the bottom surface of the plate 8 as it moves along the feed table into the blasting chamber 10. The lower edge 40 of the plate rests on a roller 41 or 41a, as the case may be, these rollers being mounted in bearings 42 and 42a which are secured to and are rotatable with the shaft 5. The table 3 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2 and indicated by the arrows,'to pick up the plate J'from thetable 2 and move it into the position indicated in full lines in this figure. The plate 8 is then given an initial push by the pusher 15 illustrated in Figure 1. The pusher has a pneumatic cylinder 44 in which a plunger 45 operates. The plunger is so arranged that it contacts with the inclined following edge of the plate 8 when in the position shown inFigure 2 to give the plate an initial movement'along the table. This initial movement of the plate decreases the gap between the plate on the table 3 and the preceding plate which is being treated in. the blasting chamber 10. The pusher 15 im- 11 parts only an initial movement to the plate, the main feeding of the plate along the table 3 and through the chamber 10 being accomplished by the magnetic rolls.

The magnetic roll 11 is illustrated in detail in Figures 4 and 5. The roll is of the usual construction and is provided with coils so that the alternate ribs 46 constitute opposite magnetic poles. When the roll is rotated in contact with the plate, the plate is fed along the table and through the blasting chamber. The magnetic roll is mounted above the guide rolls 1'? which are in fixed position and are so arranged that they guide the plate into the slot 18' in the blasting chamber. The plates are always somewhat wavy or warped, and in order that there shall be good contact between the magnetic roll and the plate, the roll is resiliently mounted, as illustrated in Figure 5. The ends 4'7 of the roll are mounted in journals 48 which slide up and down within a housing 50. A spring 51 is employed-between the journal 48 and a screw 52in order to keep the roll in contact with the plate. Another screw 53 is'provided for adjusting the position ofthe journal in the housing. The housing has a removable cover 54 so as to give ready access to of the magnetic roll 11 and its universal connectioniwith the. speed reducer 13 insures that the roll'will' contact with the plate, even though the plate is warped, and that the plate will be positively' moved along the table 3 and into the blasting chamber 10. It is advantageous to mount the magnetic roll above the plate 8 rather than be low it because it is desirable to support the plate by rollers 17 which have a fixed position'relative to the slot 18 in" the blasting chamber. Since it is necessary to mount the magnetic'roll resiliently'in order to compensate for waves in the plate 1 8, if the roll were mounted below the plate,there would be no fixed guide for guiding the plate into the slot 18 in the side of the blasting chamber;

As shown in Figure 3, the lower edge of the plate 8 rests upon a roller 59 mounted in a bearing'60' secured to a standard 61 which supports theguide rolls 17. 'The rolls 4, 25,- 17, 20, 41, 41a and 59 decrease the amount of powernecessary to feed the plates to the steel blasting chamber 10.

After the plate has been fed through the chamber 10', it is received, while in a position inclined to the horizontal, upon the'receiving table 24 shown in Figure 6. The receiving table is similar to the feed table 3, except that it has a curved plate 62 secured to a standard 63 which supports the rolls'25. The plate 62 is positioned so that when the table 24 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 6, the lower edge 64 of theplate contacts with the curved surface 65 of the plate, thereby pushing the plate away from the table 24 and depositing it on the table29.

Suitable electrical devices are provided for starting and' stopping the motors 6, 12, 22 and 28 which operate the feed tables and magnetic rolls, and for operating the pusher '15 which gives an initial movement to the plateon the table 3.

The tilting or rotatable roller tables 3 and 24 are provided with a plurality of sets of rollers for supporting the bottom surface of the plates. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the feed table 3 has two sets of rollers 4 and 4a, but, if desired, a greater number of sets of rollers may be employed. It is advantageous to have at least two sets of rollers, but more than two sets ordinarily are not needed. By employing two sets of rollers 4 and 4a, after the plate 8 has left the rollers 4, the roller table 3 may be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2, so that the rollers 4a move upwardly and pick off from the table 2 another plate which has been previously placed on the table. If only one set of rollers, for example the rollers 4, were employed, after one plate had left the table 3, it would be necessary to rotate the table through substantially 315,in a counter-clockwise direction before another plate could be picked up from the table 2, or else rotate the table in a clockwise direction through an angle of about 45 from the position shown in Figure 2. When the table is rotated in a clockwise direction in order to pick up another plate, it is necessary to rotate the table into receiving position before the plate has been placed on the table 2, and this slows up the handling operation. It also causes a greater gap between plates in the blasting chamber, which is undesirable. It is preferred, therefore, to provide the tilting tables with at least two sets of rollers for supporting the bottom surfaces of the plates.

I have illustrated and described the present pre ferred embodiment of my invention and the preferred method of carrying out the process. It is to be understood, however, that the invention may be otherwise embodied or practiced within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for handling plates, comprising a table, means for tilting the table to support the plate thereon at an angle inclined to the horizontal, and means for feeding the plate along the table.

2. Apparatus for handling plates, comprising a roller table, means for tilting the table to support the plate thereon at an angle inclined to the horizontal, and means for feeding the plate along the table.

3. Apparatus for handling plates, comprising a tilting roller table having rollers for supporting the side of the plate and other 'rollers for supporting the edge of the plate when in a position inclined to the horizontal, and means for feeding the plate along the table.

4. In combination with a device for treating plates, a tiltingroller table adapted to receive a plate in a horizontal position and be tilted to dispose the plate in a plane inclined to the horizontal, and means for feeding the plate along the table to the treating device while in tilted position.

5. In combination with a device for treating plates, a tilting roller table adapted to receive a plate in a horizontal position and be tilted to dispose the plate in a plane inclined to the horizontal, means for feeding the plate along the table to the treating device while in tilted position, and a roller table for receiving the treated plates from the treating device.

6. In combination with a device for treating plates, a tilting roller table adapted to receive a plate in a horizontal position and be tilted to dispose the plate in a plane inclined to the horizontal, means for feeding the plate along the table to the treating device while in tilted position, and a tilting roller table for receiving the treated plates from the treating device and disposing them in horizontal position.

'7. A tilting roller table, comprising a rotatable shaft, and a set of rollers connected to and extending radially from the shaft in a common plane. a

8. A tilting roller table, comprising a rotatable shaft, and a plurality of sets of rollers connected to and extending radially from the shaft.

9. A tilting roller table, comprising a rotatable shaft, and a plurality of sets of rollers connected to and extending radially from the shaft, said sets of rollers being spaced around the shaft about 180.

10. Apparatus for conveying plates to a treating device, comprising a table adapted to support a plate in a plane inclined to the horizontal, means for moving the plate along the table, and a pusher adapted to contact with the inclined following edge of the plate to give it an initial movement toward the treating device.

11. Apparatus for conveying plates to a treating device, comprising a tilting roller table adapted to receive a plate in horizontal position and tilt it to a plane inclined to the horizontal, means for moving the plate along the table while in inclined position, and a pusher adapted to contact with the inclined following edge of the plate to give it an initial movement toward the treating device.

12. Apparatus for conveying plates to a treating device, comprising a tilting roller table adapted to receive a plate in horizontal position and tilt it to a plane inclined to the horizontal, a magnetic roll for moving the plate along the table while in inclined position, and a. pusher adapted to contact with the inclined following edge of the plate to give it an initial movement toward the treating device.

13. Apparatus for conveying plates, comprising a table for supporting the plate in a plane inclined to the horizontal, and a magnetic roll mounted above said table and adapted to contact with the upper surface of a plate supported on the table and move it along the table.

14. Apparatus for conveying plates, comprising a tilting roller table adapted to receive a plate in horizontal position and tilt it to a plane inclined to the horizontal, and a magnetic roll mounted above said table and adapted to contactv with the upper surface of a plate supportedon the table and move it along the table.

15. Apparatus for conveying plates, comprising a tilting roller table adapted to receive a plate in horizontal position and tilt it to a plane inclined to the horizontal, a magnetic roll mounted above said table and adapted to contact with the upper surface of a plate supported on the table and move it along the table, and a pusher for contacting with the inclined edge of the plate to give it an initial movement along the table.

16. Apparatus for conveying plates comprising a table adapted to support a plate in a plane inclined to the horizontal, and a magnetic roll mounted above the table in position to contact with the upper surface of a plate on the table and move it along the table, said roller being resiliently mounted.

17. Apparatus for conveying plates, comprising a tilting roller table adapted to receive a plate in horizontal position and tilt the plate to a position inclined to the horizontal. and a spring mounted magnetic roll mounted above the table in position to contact with the upper surface of a plate on the table and. move it along the table.

18. Apparatus for conveying plates, comprising a tilting roller table adapted to receive a plate in horizontal position and tilt the plate to a position inclined to the horizontal, a spring mounted magnetic roll above the table in position to contact with the top surface of a plate on the table and move it along the table, power means for rotating the magnetic roll, and a universal connection between said power means and roll.

19. Apparatus for handling plates, comprising a tilting roller table adapted to receive a plate in horizontal position and tilt it into an inclined position, means for tilting the table, a magnetic roll above the roller table in position to contact with the upper surface of a plate on the table and move it along the table, a pusher arranged to contact with the rear edge of the inclined plate to give it an initial movement along the table, and automatic electrical means for controlling the operation of the table, the pusher, and the magnetic roll.

20. Apparatus for handling plates, comprising a tilting roller table having a rotatable shaft, rollers secured to the shaft and extending radially therefrom, means for tilting the table to support a plate with its ends in a plane inclined to the horizontal, means for feeding the plate along the table, and discharge means in fixed position relative to the table and adapted to contact with the lower edge of the plate to aid in discharging the plate as the table is tilted to horizontal position.

21. In a sheet treating mechanism, the combination with means for treating such sheets when disposed at an angle with the horizontal, of means for receiving such sheets in a horizontal position adapted to automatically tilt and present the same to such treating mechanism, and a tiltable table adapted to receive such sheets in inclined position from such treating mechanism and return the same to a horizontal position.

22. In a sheet treating mechanism, the com bination with means for treating such sheets when disposed at an angle with the horizontal, of an arcuately movable means for receiving such sheets in a horizontal position and presenting the same to such treating mechanism at the proper treating angle, and arcuately movable means adapted to receive such sheets from such treating mechanism and return the same to a horizontal position.

23. In a sheet handling mechanism, the combination with means for treating such sheets when disposed at an angle with the horizontal, of an arcuately movable table adapted to receive such sheets in a horizontal position and incline and present the same to such treating means at the proper treating angle, andan arcuately movable table adapted to receive such sheets from such treating means at such angle and return the same to a horizontal position.

24. In a sheet handling mechanism, the combination of a tiltable table comprising a frame having transversely extending rotatable shafts mounted thereon. and a plurality of rotatable rollers mounted along one side thereof, the axes of which are substantially at right angles to the axes of said shafts, and means for arcuately moving such table.

HAROLD E. McCRERY. 

